New York has established a new felony for repeat low-level domestic violence offenses. The new mandates aim to protect victims of domestic violence from harrassment, fear and harm.

The measure signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo applies the charge of Aggravated Family Offense to defendants who commit certain misdemeanors and already have a conviction against a household member within the previous five years. Punishment is one to four years in prison.

The measure elevates domestic violence harassment from a violation to a misdemeanor. That can mean up to a year in jail. It also prohibits anyone subject to an order of protection and charged in that person's death from controlling that person's burial.